Legal
Overview

The ACLU of Colorado’s Legal Department works to protect and defend civil liberties through court litigation as well as legal advocacy outside the courtroom. With only two full-time attorneys on staff, the ACLU also relies on the work of dedicated volunteer cooperating attorneys from around the state who are willing to donate their time and talent to assist our struggle for liberty.

Issues raised in ACLU legal cases and advocacy include the right to due process and equal protection of the law, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, religious freedom, the right of association, the right to privacy, and the right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment.

ACLU of Colorado Cases provides detailed information on ACLU of Colorado cases in recent years, with links to pleadings, correspondence, press releases, and other related documents.

ACLU of Colorado Legal Advocacy highlights occasions when the Legal Department has addressed civil liberties issues with letters, phone calls or other informal advocacy.

Some of the most-visited pages in the Legal Department section of this web site provide detailed information about the controversy and class action lawsuit over the Denver Police Department’s Spy Files. Other frequently-visited pages provide information about the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Requests for legal assistance from the ACLU of Colorado must be submitted in writing. Unfortunately, the ACLU is able to investigate only a small number of the several thousand written requests received each year. For details about what to include in a request and the kinds of cases the ACLU considers, please see How to Ask For Legal Help.